Real Estate Development Accountant

EqualAccess; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

EqualAccess seeks an on-site accounting professional to join a real estate development team in Queens. This hands-on role requires close collaboration with ownership and project management to drive financial decisions and track project-level performance.

You will manage core accounting functions, including cost tracking, draws, and reporting to lenders and partners, with visibility into deal structuring and funding.

Qualifications

• Experience in project-level real estate development accounting.
• Familiar with construction draws and lender reporting requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with precision and timeliness.
• Degree required; development accounting exposure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain project-level books and track costs against approved budgets.
• Process construction draws and reconcile discrepancies with lenders.
• Prepare internal financial reports for ownership and project stakeholders.
• Support financial statements and schedules for lenders, investors, or partners.
• Coordinate with external auditors and tax preparers as needed.

Skills

Real estate accounting

Project accounting

Construction draws

Lender reporting

Job costing

GAAP close

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

Job description

EqualAccess (on behalf of a confidential client)

The Role

This is an accounting role at a real estate development firm based in Queens. The client operates in the development space, and they are looking for someone who understands the financial mechanics of real estate projects from the ground up, not just general ledger maintenance or corporate accounting.

This is a hands‑on seat. The person who succeeds here will be comfortable working close to the deals, the draws, the lenders, and the numbers that actually drive development decisions. This is not a passive reporting role, and it is not a large‑team environment where work gets handed off between layers of staff.

What This Role Is, and Is Not

This role is:

• A core accounting function embedded in an active real estate development operation
• Responsible for project‑level financial tracking, reporting, and compliance
• A role requiring familiarity with construction draws, equity waterfalls, or development cost accounting
• A position with real visibility into how deals are structured and funded

This role is NOT:

• A corporate or public accounting role with standardized, repeating cycles
• A fit for someone who has only worked in audit or tax without development exposure
• A high‑headcount environment with defined handoffs and support layers
• A remote or hybrid position

Required Experience & Traits

• Solid background in real estate development accounting, specifically at the project level, not just fund or asset management accounting
• Familiarity with construction loan draws, lender reporting, and cost tracking against project budgets
• Comfort working with ownership and project management directly, without a large finance team around you
• Strong command of general ledger, job costing, and period‑end close in a development context
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously without losing precision on any of them
• A degree is standard for this role, but direct experience in real estate development accounting matters more than where you went to school

Key Responsibilities

Project Accounting & Cost Tracking

• Maintain accurate project‑level books across the development portfolio, tracking costs against approved budgets
• Process and reconcile construction draws, flagging discrepancies early and keeping lender documentation complete
• Prepare internal financial reports for ownership and project stakeholders, presenting a clear picture of where each project stands
• Support preparation of financial statements and schedules required by lenders, investors, or partners

Compliance & Audit Support

• Maintain documentation and records in line with lender, investor, and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate with external auditors and tax preparers, providing clean workpapers and timely responses

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Assist in building and updating project pro formas and cash flow projections as development timelines evolve
• Flag budget variances and work with the development team to understand and address the root cause

Systems & Process

• Work within existing accounting systems and, where appropriate, recommend improvements to how costs and reporting are tracked across the portfolio

Compensation

• Total compensation details to be discussed during the interview process

Why EqualAccess

EqualAccess partners with best‑in‑class organizations and supports candidates beyond placement. Every candidate we place receives 3 months of post‑hire coaching and career support, ensuring long‑term success and growth.